November 15, 2012

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue Extension plant and weed experts
have teamed up to author a new publication that offers information about
controversial new herbicide-tolerant soybean varieties.

Approval of 2,4-D- and dicamba-tolerant crops is pending,
but many people, including some weed scientists and both agronomic and
specialty crop growers, have concerns about spray drift. The publication, 2,4-D- and Dicamba-tolerant Crops – Some
Facts to Consider, does not take a position on the crops; rather, it serves
as an unbiased, research-based fact sheet.

"It's important to note that there is no unified
opinion on this topic among weed scientists or agronomic crop growers,"
said Bill Johnson, Purdue Extension weed scientist. "This publication
shares the perspective of some Purdue University scientists on the subject of
managing weeds in crops, explains why 2,4-D- and dicamba-tolerant crops were developed
and why they are needed by some crop producers, and discusses some of the
concerns surrounding the short- and long-term effects of this technology."

Opponents of the herbicide-tolerant crops fear that the
new technology is unnecessary, will make farmers more dependent on the
intellectual property held by large corporations, will injure nontarget crops
sensitive to 2,4-D and dicamba, and will accelerate herbicide resistance in
weeds, Johnson said.

"Those in favor of the new soybean varieties argue
that 2,4-D and dicamba have been used on millions of acres since the 1960s and
have not resulted in widespread damage, so using them on tolerant crops should
not concern growers of high-value horticulture crops, if the new low-volatility
formulations are sprayed and applicators follow recommended stewardship
guidelines to avoid off-site movement," he said.